UK takes tough action in response to alleged Russian spy attack

We will write soon about changes to the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill that the UK government is preparing in response to allegations of a Russian nerve agent attack. For now, readers interested in financial sanctions should note that, as a response to the attempted murder of Sergei and Yulia Skripal, Russian state assets could possibility be frozen, and perhaps other measures, in the months to come.

Speaking today in the House of Commons, the Rt. Hon. Theresa May MP and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom confirmed the UK’s government’s view that the Russian state was culpable for the attempted murder of the Skripals and threatening the lives of other British citizens in Salisbury, including Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey who provided first aid to them.

Responding to the attack, Mrs. May listed several measures, some immediate. These include:

Developing proposals for new legislative powers to harden the United Kingdom’s defences against “hostile state activity”, including amendments to the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill to strengthen the UK’s powers to impose sanctions in response to human rights violations, a so-called Magnitsky amendment.

Freezing Russian state assets wherever there is evidence they might be used to threaten the life or property of UK nationals or residents.

Suspending all planned high-level bilateral contacts between the UK and the Russian Federation (for example, UK government ministers will not attend the 2018 World Cup, nor will members of the Royal Family).

Opening consultations today at the UN Security Council, “pushing for a robust international response.”

Deploying an unspecified (for reasons of national security) range of tools from across the full breadth of its national security apparatus to counter the threat of “hostile state activity.”

Mrs. May also reported that, in the last 24 hours, she had spoken to U.S. President Trump, German Chancellor Merkel and French President Macron. These world leaders have agreed to cooperate closely to “stand up for the rules-based international order which Russia seeks to undermine.” In the coming days, Mrs. May will also speak to other allies and partners across the EU and beyond. Mrs. May did not, however, specifically mention seeking to persuade the EU to increase EU sanctions against Russia.